Fastfwd wrote:
I'm thinking about buying my father a new chainsaw to replace
his worn out old Craftsman. �I don't know anything about
chainsaws to be honest,

Authorized chainsaw dealers because service what they sell are
typically very knowlegeable about matching the tool to user
requirements, and they have demos so you can try them out, in fact
reputable dealerships will encourage saw testing by the user (you
can't try a saw out for your father, or for anyone else). I were you
I'd bring your father to a local authorized chainsaw dealership so he
can try a few.. . asking strangers what they think your father needs
is like asking strangers to choose his shoes without his feet... he's
not an infant, show him the menu but let him choose. I could
recommend a saw that I like, and that's all anyone else here can do...
without your father all anyone can offer is wild speculation... and
his age has little to do with anything, he may be well experienced
with chansaws and may not be at all frail... were he frail I'd not
recommend he touch any chain saw. Just like if you took him out for
dinner, it's your treat but it's his choice.